Preparing for Christmas

Shopping

 I go thrifting just about every Saturday morning.  When Molly lived with us she would go with me.  One Saturday we went to one of my favorite stores and when we were checking out, the cashier commented on all the cute clothing we had found.  She then asked if we had been to Gordman's store closing sale.  We hadn't. In fact, I had never been there and really wasn't sure what kind of store it was.  A few weeks later Molly and I were heading to Kohls when we realized Gordman's was next door. I didn't really want to go but I asked Molly if she did, and she did.  I almost continued on but decided to pull into the parking lot.  Hesitantly, I went in.  We found all kinds of bargains.  We shopped very carefully because we didn't want to buy things we really didn't need.  I found an item for $150 where the sign said it would be $45. Still expensive for something not needed.  I asked Molly if she would like it and she thought she would but didn't really need it.  We didn't put it in our cart but we did go through what was in our cart to see if we really needed these things.  That is when Molly saw a sign that said if you buy 12 or more items, you get an additional 50% off.  I placed the $150 item in the cart, along with other high priced items.

After we got home and figured out how much money we saved by buying things we didn't need, I felt bad that I didn't buy more!  The $150 item was only $21. Molly felt the same so we planned for Molly and Mike to go back the next morning right at opening, to buy more. I had to work so wouldn't be able to go. We made a list of what we saw and should get.  Excitement was in the air!  

The next morning I was getting updates and photos from Molly, asking if she should get this, or this, maybe this? Even though Mike didn't find anything, Molly was glad he went because she filled up two carts and needed Mike to push one!   They finally made it to the checkout and that is when Molly found the disappointing sign that stated it was only 30% off if buying 12 or more items.  They bought everything anyway.

We were done Christmas shopping September!

 

Stockings

When my sisters had babies many years ago, I would make the baby a felt Christmas stocking from a kit. This was always fun for me, knowing they could use it their whole lifetime.  When I found out my niece was pregnant, she asked if I would make her baby a stocking. Of course I said yes.  Soon a box came in the mail with three stockings, one for her baby and two for my nephew's twins.  I handed the twin's stockings over to my sister Sherry, who also likes to do these.  I did this because when I saw the one I was to make, I knew it was going to take me awhile.  A LOT of detail.  Then my niece said something she probably shouldn't have..."it's okay if it isn't done before Christmas."  I had months to start and finish it, so I took my time.  I would pull it out now and then. I did get a tiny bit done to show Meredith during her Zoom baby shower.  Myers was born at the end of October. Now I could put the name on the stocking!  But, I waited. All of a sudden it was December!  I wasn't even close to being done.  I told Meredith it probably wouldn't be done.  She was okay with that but then my sister sent me the following photo with Myers' stocking missing.  Okay, now I had to finish it.

For two weeks my life was consumed with applique, stuffing, sequins, and beading. I would work on it all day on the weekends, my lunch hour at work, at home after work.  I finished it and got it in the mail to be delivered before Christmas!

Cooking and Baking

Christmas week arrived and Maggie drove up from Georgia.  We are always so excited to hang out as a family during the holiday season.  Since Molly now lives in Iowa, we decided to have Christmas at her place.  It was time for Maggie to start cooking!

Since Molly's cat Poppy, likes to eat everything she shouldn't, like Christmas trees, we decided to put the tree outside.  

That night we realized some lights were not working, so we had a striped tree.

Maggie cooked for two days.

Molly had some work homework.  Since she works for a yeast company, the employees were asked to make star bread and take a picture to send to her company. This bread had raspberry and cranberry filling.

She didn't like how it looked so I don't have a picture of the finished product.  It sure was good!! We ate the whole thing!!

The girls enjoyed cooking and baking together.  

We had so much fun opening presents Christmas Eve and then finally Christmas day was here.  Mike's mom Janelle, was able to hang out with us. 

Here we are scratching off lottery tickets, all afternoon!!

The girls always enjoy hanging out with Grandma!

Molly did make another star bread after we got back home in Davenport. This time it was savory, onion, rosemary, and other yummy ingredients.

Happy Holidays!!!  

Here We Go Again!

 As mentioned in a previous blog, Molly moved in with us during the first week of May 2020.  She started looking for a job right away while enjoying her first Iowa spring and summer.  She would have an interview now and then and even got one offer, but it didn't feel like the right fit so she declined.  She  had a little dry spell this fall season but then all of a sudden three interviews in two days, and then two offers in one day! She had to make a decision, but it was obvious which one to take. She chose Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an hour down the interstate from us.  She had two weeks to find a place to live.  This task is not as easy as it was when Mike and I rented more than 30 years ago.  We would look in the paper, call the number in the ad, meet with the owners and then rent!  Now you search the  internet, fill out an application for the rentals you like that will also accept a cat, pass a background check, meet at the rentals with a realtor, find out you will be put on a waiting list, find out the rental isn't available for another month, stress out over this, etc.    Molly found a place in a small town between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.  Expensive, but available now until the end of June.  She started packing.

We moved Molly three days before she would start her job. It was nice to have everything already packed up in her storage unit at Uhaul.  This building used the be the Kmart I worked at in high school in the 70's. Her unit was the household and paper goods aisle.  I worked in the patio department which brought up the story of me getting a fork lift license and unloading semi trucks.  Boy, did I get a lot of marriage proposals! Those truck drivers couldn't believe a 17 year young woman could unload trucks. I think it is pretty cool Uhaul buys the empty large buildings and puts them to good use.

We left Poppy at home while we moved all of Molly's treasures.  We took three vehicles on move in day. Mike drove my car, Molly drove her car, and I drove the truck.  Of course it was one of the windiest days and my hands felt like they were glued to the steering wheel when I got to her townhome.  That truck was all over the place, just like the semi trucks. Scary.

Molly and I were busy moving her items into the townhome when she mentioned that most Uhaul trucks have a U.S. state on the side of them.  We had the whole country!

We came out of the house and finally found Mike.  After his nap, he went home to watch the Georgia game. Kidding!!!!! He worked hard and didn't take a nap, but he did leave after we were done unloading the truck.  

Molly and I moved things around for awhile and then headed back to Davenport in the truck. Luckily, the wind had died down.  The next day, we moved Poppy to her new home.

Binx was sad and wanted to go too!

Poppy had a great time exploring everything!

I stayed for two days to help unpack and to be there when the internet guy showed up. This is Molly's first day of work.

I was a little worried when it started snowing on her first day October 19th.  She has NEVER driven in snow and it seemed like it wasn't going to stop! I kept checking the road out front to make sure it wasn't sticking and luckily, it wasn't.  She made it home just fine after six inches had fallen.

Molly and Poppy have settled in.  We will have to do this all over again in June, when her lease is up.

Before Molly moved, we did something I have been wanting to do since we moved here.  We rode the Channel Cat, the river taxi.  We were able to see the Interstate 74 bridge construction and all kinds of fun river things.  It was about an hour ride.

Summer 2020 Is Over

What did we do all summer?

We colored and plastered the wall with our artwork.

Molly learned how to mow.

Molly and I climbed the M in Platteville, Wisconsin.  I have been driving by the M for over 35 years and have always wanted to stop and climb it. 

Chase and Maggie climbed mountains the same day!  When I was looking at photos, I was getting confused. At one point I was thinking Wisconsin sure has beautiful mountains, but I was looking at Georgia photos.

Be careful Maggie!!

We celebrated my 59th birthday. I had a hard time blowing out my candle.

Molly learned how to sew, first with masks and then she made a quilt!

I made a wall hanging.

Maggie bought her first car ever!

We went to the Lovers Leap Swinging Bridge in Columbus Junction Iowa.

Molly cut my hair.  First time in over 9 months!   

Before

After

We celebrated Janelle's Birthday (Mike's Mom). Wish I could say I made that cake, but I can't, because I didn't.

I made tons of baskets for the craft fair that was cancelled for this November. I will have plenty for next year!

We played putt putt.  I won.

We hiked a five mile trail near Iowa City.

This trail was a little hard for Mike when we approached and crossed down trees from the Derecho.  He was hitting his head and tripping.  Molly and I were starting to worry about him so we helped guide him under branches and would let him know when he could stand up.

Near the trail is the Devonian Fossil Gorge so we stopped and looked at ocean fossils from the age of Iowa being an ocean. 

Now we are getting ready for fall fun. 

Can you find two cats in the following photo?